Chapter 172

The rotation sucks in.


Ankles, knees, pelvis, waist, collarbone, shoulders, elbows, wrists.


Following Sima Mantian’s joints, an intangible energy swirls up, rotating and sucking in the surrounding airflow.


Whoooosh-!!


Circulating energy greedily through each body part, creating a whirlwind.


Even the Tai Chi energy that struck his body is devoured, as the dragon’s rotation trembles.


He wraps the Tai Chi Sword Energy that struck him around his body.


Cloud Dragon Eight Forms – Divine Dragon Spinning Mist


The dragon wraps around the mist. It spins within the mist.


Controlling to avoid being swept away by the immense force spreading through his body.


Performing a precarious acrobatic feat.


‘Yes, I admit it. In my current state, I can’t break through Jin Hyeryeong’s Tai Chi with a direct approach.’


So…


In the dizzying rotation, Sima Mantian’s eyes gleam.


‘…I’ll return the favor with this move.’


From the sky and the ground, Sima Mantian and Jin Hyeryeong watch each other.


This is the final clash of this battle.


Jin Hyeryeong’s body is enveloped in green energy.


Sima Mantian’s form rushes toward Jin Hyeryeong from the sky.


“Tai Chi is-!”


Once, twice, thrice… through eight rotations, the accumulated force is unleashed.


“Eat this-!!”


Frost Breaking Palm


The energy wrapped around his body is released in a simultaneous clash, unleashing a palm strike.


Kwa- Wang! Crackle crackle crackle-!!


Jin Hyeryeong’s sword, swung in a circular motion, clashes with Sima Mantian’s palm strike, sending shockwaves outward.


『Tai Chi Sword』


Once again, the Wudang Sect’s technique tries to push Sima Mantian back.


But the rotation is consumed by an even stronger rotation.


The Soul Flight and Spirit Scatter Technique, combined with the Cloud Dragon Eight Forms’ rotation, gnaws at the Tai Chi.


Jin Hyeryeong tries to hold on by drawing out her internal energy.


“Kkh…!”


But faster than that.


Sizzle-!


The balance of Tai Chi begins to crack, and the vibration from the Frost Breaking Palm, fueled by the rotational energy, shatters the cracked Tai Chi.


“-!?”


A rolling stone from the heavens pushes aside the elder of the martial world.


Kwa- Aang-!!


Jin Hyeryeong’s body, which stood firm like Mount Tai at the center of Tai Chi, can’t withstand the impact and is sent flying, tumbling to the ground.


“Kkh-! Kkh… Kkh…!?”


Lying on the ground, a suppressed groan of pain escapes Jin Hyeryeong’s throat.


She manages to hold back a scream…


But her body has no strength. She can’t get up.


Sima Mantian spins once in the air and lands safely.


Yes, he’s standing.


It doesn’t matter how many times he fell. The one standing at the end is the winner.


That’s the law of the martial world.


A crazy psycho lesbian duel with a man intruding.


The man intruding wins.


Ma Yang blankly watches Sima Mantian, who is catching his breath.


“……….”


I always thought he was tall, but now he seems even bigger.


Of course, not in a physical sense.


I can’t gauge Sima Mantian’s momentum.


‘…What did I just witness?’


Soul Flight and Spirit Scatter Technique, Dog Chasing Stick Technique, Jeonjin Sword Technique, Changgung Infinite Sword Technique, Double Hands Fighting, Seven Stars Seven Turns, Frost Breaking Palm, Cloud Dragon Eight Forms.


How many martial arts were unleashed from that body?


Jin Hyeryeong isn’t weak. She’s a master of orthodox Taoist martial arts.


She hasn’t been in the Ilwol God Sect long enough to sit as an elder, but in terms of skill, she’s at the elder level.


Her internal energy and martial arts proficiency surpass Sima Mantian’s.


…Yet she lost. Sima Mantian won.


But that doesn’t mean Jin Hyeryeong was careless or weak.


The man before me, Sima Mantian, is just strange.


He leaps like a tiger, soars like a dragon, and becomes a demon of battle.


He’s unpredictable.


You can’t anticipate what’s coming next.


It’s as if…


Ma Yang, mesmerized, mutters softly while looking at Sima Mantian.


“Supernatural strength… transformation at will…”


And beside her, Jang Sam-i, who watched the fight, says in a cheerful voice:


“Young Master, the way you fight is like an onion~ no matter how much you peel, there’s always more.”


Onion! Sima Mantian!


What!? The Soul Flight and Spirit Scatter Technique doesn’t work on onions! Unleashing the Cloud Dragon Eight Forms, Detchaaa!


Instantly, Ma Yang imagines a small Sima Mantian wearing an onion, peeling it diligently.


Ma Yang’s face relaxes.


Sure, that scene alone is impressive, but thinking about his usual self, maybe the onion comparison is more accurate.


Ma Yang sighs, feeling like she made a fuss over nothing.


“Sigh… how foolish.”


And just as she glances down to check Wang Miaoyang’s expression.


A beautiful blonde flutters as Wang Miaoyang runs and jumps, hugging Sima Mantian.


“My disciple! I believed in you!”


“Ugh-!?”


Though much smaller than Sima Mantian, Wang Miaoyang’s weight causes the exhausted Sima Mantian to collapse to the ground. Regardless.


“Really! You made me so nervous!”


Wang Miaoyang, with a flushed face, sits atop Sima Mantian, unable to hide her joy and praises him.


As a master who witnessed Sima Mantian’s many trials, his growth feels even more significant.


“Especially the final Frost Breaking Palm was excellent!”


Well, ending with the Jeonjin Sect’s martial art, Frost Breaking Palm, is also a point of joy.


Chatter chatter~ chatter chatter~!


Seeing that, a smile forms on my lips, but sadly, it’s time to get up.


“Master, I appreciate the praise, but I need to get up now.”


“Ah…”


Wang Miaoyang, sitting atop Sima Mantian, strokes his head with her small hand, chattering praises, then regains her composure.


With a face hiding embarrassment, she coughs and gets off Sima Mantian, stepping aside.


“Ahem… ahem… anyway, you fought well.”


Ma Yang, seeing that, smiles softly.


A warm atmosphere.


Though she was under the false identity of Ma Nong, it was nice to spend an ordinary day with Miaoyang.


Yes, now it’s time for Ma Yang, the elder of the Demon Sect, to leave.


Though she did something absurd, she couldn’t just leave Jin Hyeryeong, a member of the Ilwol God Sect.


Ma Yang’s eyes turn cold.


…And as an elder of a faction, she needed to personally educate her.


Well, in the end, she’s grateful to Sima Mantian for fighting in her place… and he was a bit, just a bit, cool, but that’s a separate matter.


Ma Yang approaches the fallen Jin Hyeryeong.


“Ugh… Ma, Ma Yang unnie…”


“Be quiet.”


She presses a pressure point to stabilize and subdue her.


“The Martial Alliance will soon hear the commotion. Prepare to leave immediately.”


Ma Yang, taking control, coldly orders Jin Hyeryeong’s subordinates, who are at a loss.


Amusingly, the group that was chasing Ma Yang under Jin Hyeryeong’s orders now obediently follows Ma Yang’s commands.


“…Yes. Understood.”


After all, they are members of the Ilwol God Sect, and with Jin Hyeryeong captured by Ma Yang, they have no choice but to follow.


Ma Yang plans to leave without a farewell, but…


Whoosh-.


Wang Miaoyang throws ‘something’ toward Ma Yang, who catches it.


“This is…”


It’s the crescent-shaped accessory Wang Miaoyang kept while Ma Yang was under the identity of Ma Nong.


“It’s something you left behind.”


Wang Miaoyang, regaining her composure, speaks calmly to Ma Yang.


“I’ll return it to you now. But…”


She looks directly at Ma Yang without turning her eyes.


“Next time, tell me everything. I’ll listen.”


Ma Yang’s eyes widen at the sparkling golden eyes directed at her.


Ma Yang’s heart wavers.


I decided to become a villain for Miaoyang. I swore to myself.


…But I can’t win against those eyes.


Because to Ma Yang, Wang Miaoyang is a precious child, no matter how old she gets.


“Ah… alright…”


“And return the outer garment to me later~”


Adding to that, Sima Mantian’s words make Ma Yang turn away.


It’s embarrassing to face him directly, unlike with Miaoyang.


“…You don’t have to use formal speech.”


Using formal speech would just emphasize the age difference… I don’t like that.


Blushing slightly, feeling embarrassed by her own thoughts.


What am I doing, acting like this in front of a young man… how foolish.


But it’s a feeling I don’t want to give up, even if it’s embarrassing.


Ma Yang bites her lip, clutching the outer garment Sima Mantian draped over her.


“…Then, later.”


Carrying Jin Hyeryeong under her arm, she uses qinggong to leave the clearing.


Following her, the Ten Thousand Swords, Yongyeon, also flies after Ma Yang.


Ying ying! Ying ying ying! Yeeing~!


(Friend~ friend~ let’s play again later!)


As the Ilwol God Sect group disappears, Jang Sam-i scratches his cheek and asks Sima Mantian.


“Hey~ I don’t mind, but is it okay to let them go like that?”


“We’re not enemies. We didn’t fight over the Demon Sect or the Righteous Faction, so it’s fine.”


I shrug nonchalantly.


It really doesn’t matter. In fact…


“I got to face Wudang Sect martial arts. I’m satisfied.”


I’ve also completed the Cloud Dragon Eight Forms.


At my answer, Jang Sam-i’s eyes widen in surprise, then he squints and grins teasingly.


“Looking at it, Young Master, you have a bit of a battle maniac side. A dangerous man~ scary.”


“Huh? What are you…”


I try to refute, saying an intellectual genius like me isn’t a battle maniac, but thinking about my recent actions, it might be true.


“…Maybe. So let’s go eat.”


I smile playfully at Jang Sam-i.


“Or else you might get eaten by this dangerous man.”


“……….”


For some reason, Jang Sam-i’s body stiffens momentarily.


“…That reaction was a bit intense.”


To feel my heart racing for the Young Master I’ve cared for since he was ten… it’s really dangerous.


Every day, I’m drawn in more and more. There’s really no fox like him.


While Sima Mantian and Jang Sam-i banter, Wang Miaoyang quietly watches where Ma Yang left.


“…Ma Yang, my dear.”


If only I had turned my eyes a bit earlier, could I have talked to Ma Yang sooner?


Such thoughts bring a somber mood, but.


This reckless disciple doesn’t leave his master alone.


Sima Mantian leans against Wang Miaoyang’s back, acting spoiled.


“Master, I’ve used up all my internal energy. Carry me.”


“……….”


Such a reliable, grateful, and kind disciple… why does he sometimes act like a fool?


…Though it’s also cute.


“Gasp! Master! Master’s cheeks! So chubby like a child’s!!”


Wang Miaoyang’s eyes turn cold.


She eventually raises her fist and gives her mischievous disciple a knock on the head.


“Ugh!?”


Wang Miaoyang, regaining her energy, sighs and smiles at Sima Mantian.


Really… an impossible disciple.


Wang Miaoyang’s beautiful golden hair, turning away from the stars and moon, sparkles.


Sima Mantian’s strange adventure is complete.


…And the adventure continues.